Write From The Gut

When you "write from the gut" or use your "gut voice", students imagine reaching way down inside or peering down, deep inside their souls, and allowing themselves to see what's really there– for better or worse.  The way to access this voice is to write as many sentences with "I" plus an action verb and also force yourself to stay with the topic that comes up. 

Sample 1

I resist writing about my dad any more.  I feel like I have said everything I want to say about my relationship with him.  Plus I made peace with him over this last year or so. I have just accepted who he is and what he is and his limitations as a human being and as my father.  I stopped equating his love for me with my own expectations of him, that he should call more, that he should come see me and daughter more, that he should ask me if I am okay or if I need anything more.  He is not my mother, and he is not like my in laws who are intricately and completely a HUGE part of my every day life.  I resist writing about my dad because I don’t have much new to say but also because I don’t want to expend any more energy trying to figure out and understand something that actually isn’t very complicated or mysterious.  He doesn’t call a lot or come by or ask me if I need anything and not because he is a horrible father or human being but because that’s the way he is.  No more judgment. 

But I do still feel sad about that, that he doesn’t want to be more involved in my life or in helping me.  I feel sad when I see other fathers with their adult children, doing things together, like golfing or fishing or having dinner.  My father and I don’t do that any more, but we used to.  So I long for those days sometimes.

I resist writing about him because I don’t want to start trying to solve or fix or change anything to do with him.  I used to do that and it was such a waste of time.  I can’t make him be a different type of father or person.  He is who he is.

Sample 2

I feel guilty when I feel happy.  My sister sadly passed away almost three years ago.  She was a vibrant and spirited person.  She made me feel safe – mostly since losing our parents.  She was nine years older than me and after our parents died, I totally clinged to my sister.  Even after two and half years without her I feel numb.  I feel crippled – unable to make simple decisions – void of complete and deeply felt happiness.  When I feel happy with a situation or event, within moments I stop, drop, and become consumed by guilt and sadness.  As time passes, the guilt subsides but the sadness expands through every inch of my body.  I become overwhelmed with sadness knowing she cannot physically share my happiness.  And she would share it.  She was not a jealous or vindictive person.  She loved to see and witness - first hand  - my success, my joy, my happiness. How cliché, but she completed me.  I have a huge hole in my soul and of course in my heart without her presence.  It is a painful and lonely feeling that no other person, not even Paul or my brother or my best friend will ever fill.  I loved and depended on her love and support so much, I’m simply devastated, even after two and half years. 

Sample 3

Click here to read a piece written by Maggie Jones, author of Not of My Making